They sure look beautiful, but they're not just any flower ... they're
nanoflowers!

Nanoflowers may not impress your date, but researchers say these
floral-shaped molecules—so tiny you'd need an electron microscope
to see them—may have other uses. The objects (shown above) consist
of a protein encased in copper phosphate "petals." As well
as looking pretty, these petals perform two important functions. First,
they stabilize the protein to prevent it from breaking down. Secondly,
if the protein has catalytic properties—that is, if it speeds
up other chemical reactions—encasing it in a nanoflower makes
it a more effective catalyst. Nanoflower catalysts therefore work better
and last longer than the bare proteins.